Is this a bad idea?

TxLoser · 05-26-2019, 05:52 PM

We plan to depart second week in June with reservations that’ll get us from Texas to the black hills via NM an CO. Now, we decided to extend the trip. Wife wants to see Montana. I’d like her to see the Tetons as well. Here’s the bad idea part. Potential anyway. We plan to wing it that second part of the trip. From South Dakota up into MT, through WY, into Utah, back across CO, and through aesthetically challenged west Texas.

I’ve been doing some research, and it seems there’s a lot of options along that second part of the route if I’m not too picky. Trailer is 31’ and I’m setup to boondock, so my options are pretty open. I’ve always been a planner and backup planner, so it goes against my nature to wing it, yet I’m kind of looking forward to the challenge. Anyone else done anything similar during this time of year?

Bakersfish · 05-26-2019, 07:55 PM

We did a trip several years ago to see the 4th of July fireworks over Mr. Rushmore. We had plans for that and Yellowstone to cover 2 weeks of a 6 week trip. After Yellowstone, we went to the Grand Tetons and camped there in a state site with no hookups. Great time. We went through the Columbia River Gorge and into Oregon and Washington with no plans. We found some great campgrounds a long the way. We lived in California and stayed several days at Ancient Redwoods RV park on Avenue of the Giants. I'm a planner too so it was tough at first but we had a lot of fun just bumming around. I say, go for it! You never know until you try and besides, you have everything you need right behind you!!

glamisbound · 05-26-2019, 10:34 PM

I think this just makes it a little more adventurous. And I like that. With today's technology, i.e. cell phones, it's pretty darn easy to find the closest campgrounds while on the road. Now granted, I understand your concern about the time of year and everything potentially being full, but I think you'll always have options like boondocking, Walmarts, higher end RV resorts, etc. I say go for it.

Screwby · 05-26-2019, 11:01 PM

Worst case scenario or easiest scenario, whichever, find a Cracker Barrel, Cabelas, Walmart, Sams Club, etc. and stay the night. We did a “wing it” trip up through Minnesota over to the Badlands, to Deadwood, on to Mt. Rushmore, and on back home. We used the Allstays App and a couple websites like freecamping.com to find Boondocking spots along the way. On one night we couldn’t find the spot we were looking for in a tiny town, it was late and we were exhausted. Desperate I wheeled into a local hotel, it was about 12:30 a.m. and I was frazzled. They had a big huge parking lot that was well lit. I walked up to the front desk and told them I was traveling and couldn’t find my site. I then asked if I could pull to the far side of the lot out of the way and they said “absolutely, go get some rest and come get some free breakfast at the lobby in the morning”. I was floored with their hospitality! It won’t be that good everywhere, but get creative and if needed ask for a spot if your needing one.

I love getting creative and being able to avoid paying expensive fees at KOAs and parks just to get some rest. If I was staying to enjoy the area then I get it. But spending $35 and up just to pull in, sleep and the get up and leave? No thanks...

Kim Gass · 05-27-2019, 05:49 AM

It's a great idea.. We never reserved twice going cross country , That is till the morning of our expected arrival.
I would reserve in Glacier NP as your unit is big enough not to fit into some campgrounds ( or would be in a less than level roomy site). Just be mindful of cancellation fees and abilities. Same for Yellowstone and the Tetons..

RoyBraddy · 05-27-2019, 08:49 AM

I made a work trip up that way in 2014 with just my truck without a whole bunch of planning... Been there several times so never gave it any thought.

Ended up sleeping in truck the first night haha...

This was when the oil field workers were everywhere... I don't know if it is still that way or not...

Roy Ken

DNelson · 05-27-2019, 08:59 AM

We have made several trips similar to that over the years and almost never make reservations. The exception to that is when we want to stay in a campground we have stayed at before. Since 2010 we have always been able to find a campground or spend a night in a Walmart. Making reservations in a campground we have never been to always seemed more of a 'risk' to us than just winging it and having the option to move on sooner or stay longer than we originally thought.

TxLoser · 05-27-2019, 05:50 PM

Appreciate the feedback. Gives me a little more confidence in the venture. Looking forward to seeing how it works out. One way or the other.

TxLoser · 06-15-2019, 06:33 PM

So far so good. From Texas to West Yellowstone so far, three private campgrounds, 3 nights dry camping in national forest, and one state park.

On a side note, for those going through Yellowstone towing a trailer, the rocks on the roads with construction going on can cause a flat. I lost one Goodyear Endurance on that road today.

RogerR · 06-15-2019, 06:53 PM

A couple of times the campground I called was full. But when I offered to camp dry, just needed a safe place to park for the night they always found me a room at the inn so to speak.

Screwby · 06-15-2019, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerR

A couple of times the campground I called was full. But when I offered to camp dry, just needed a safe place to park for the night they always found me a room at the inn so to speak.

Love it! We really enjoy the seat of the pants adventurous trips

TxLoser · 06-15-2019, 09:47 PM

It’s been fun. Best spots so far have been a national forest cg in the Black Hills, and another in the Big Horns outside of Buffalo, WY. It’s fun planning each day a day or two out. Makes for some flexibility.

Kim Gass · 06-16-2019, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxLoser

So far so good. From Texas to West Yellowstone so far, three private campgrounds, 3 nights dry camping in national forest, and one state park.

On a side note, for those going through Yellowstone towing a trailer, the rocks on the roads with construction going on can cause a flat. I lost one Goodyear Endurance on that road today.

Its not just Yelllowstone. Here the construction season corresponds with tourist season.
Same going on the Alaska Highway. And of course most all of Northern Maine where there are no paved roads.

Always have flat fixing skills ( sometimes there is no cell to call for your roadside assistance) as well as a spare ( sometimes two) in decent shape and a can of fix a flat.

Heck the grader at home just went through.. The first few days after that happens the incidence of flats goes up as the sharp rocks are close to the surface..

TxLoser · 06-18-2019, 08:19 PM

I got lucky with this flat. We just passed through the construction and I got out to use the head. Heard it hissing. Swapped it out and headed back to the service station. Got the good year patched and pressed on. Swapped it back while at my campsite that night.

We spent a couple days in Yellowstone(camping at West Yellowstone) and then moved on. Camped at Gros Ventre near the Tetons last night. This afternoon, we were crossing the dam at Flaming Gorge in UT, and decided it was a nice area so got a spot at the Firefighters Memorial Campground.

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SloPoke · 06-18-2019, 08:49 PM

Welcome to Utah! I'll assume that you are going to be heading south on 191? Did you pass thru Manila on the way to Dutch John?

Screwby · 06-18-2019, 09:05 PM

Good catch on the flat! Same thing happened to us when we stopped for a burger. Family went inside to eat while I spent my time changing a tire and attempting a failed patch on the flat. That next week I said heck with it and got Goodyear’s anyways. Looks like an awesome trip so far!

TxLoser · 06-18-2019, 09:06 PM

Thanks. No, I actually took 191 straight down from Rock Springs.

TxLoser · 06-19-2019, 06:36 PM

Tonight is our last “interesting” stop. Spending the night at Turquoise Lake near Leadville, CO. One thing I’ve learned from this trip....Colorado roads are the worst. With the all weed tax money, you’d think they could spring a little for infrastructure. I’m not comfortable doing the speed limit in areas just because how rough the roads are. I can’t believe I haven’t left a trail of Jayco parts around the state.

I actually used to live here. In Boulder and around Denver. Don’t recall it being so bad, but maybe my memory is shorter than I like to think.

RogerR · 06-19-2019, 06:54 PM

Don't give up looking as you drive. Have the spouse do some searches. We were heading for Yellowstone a few years ago and saw a sign for Thermopolis. Did a quick search and did a 1 day detour. Loads of fun there.

A couple of other times saw a museum, a Fort or roadside marker along the way that was worth the stop.

TxLoser · 06-22-2019, 07:38 PM

Wrapped up the trip today. Just spent 6 hrs cleaning the trailer and truck as well as my pool which was a disaster from storms. Logged a little under 4K miles. Only failures were one punctured tire and a faulty window shade. Both fixed. Spent 5 nights in KOA/Rv Parks, 3 nights in state parks, and 6 nights dry camping in National Forest campgrounds. Had a great time. Thanks for encouragement at the start of my thread.

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